STAYING FIND OUT TO “STING” HIS NEWCASTLE GOLD CUP RIVALS

MATTHEW Smith is hoping staying find Aethelwulf can give him a “third time lucky” Newcastle Gold Cup breakthrough next month.

The Sydney trainer today confirmed the $300,000 Group 3 Gold Cup (2300m) at Broadmeadow on September 18 as the next target for yesterday’s impressive Rosehill Gardens winner.

Aethelwulf, a $1.35 hotpot, justified his short odds by easily defeating Anthracite ($7.50) and Kenmare Bay ($15) in a Benchmark 78 Handicap (2000m) to post his fourth win from only six starts.

“The Newcastle Cup looks the right race to test him in better company,” Smith said.

“He will get a light weight, and the big track will suit him.

“Aethelwulf has already been to Newcastle as he won his Maiden there over 1400m in June last year.

“I spoke with Zac Lloyd after his win yesterday, and he is keen to stay with him for the Cup.”

Smith has had only two previous Newcastle Cup representatives – and both were the same horse.

Former German stayer Sweet Thomas ran last at $101 in Mugatoo’s 2020 Cup, and then started at $21 the following year when he ran 11th of 14 in Great House’s Cup.

“It would be nice to win the Newcastle Cup as we are near neighbours,” Smith said, referring to the fact that, whilst his main training base is at Warwick Farm, he and his wife Melissa also own Luskin Park at Luskintyre in the Hunter Valley.

Thus he also has permission from Newcastle Jockey Club to work horses at Broadmeadow when necessary.

Smith paid only $26,000 for the now four-year-old at the 2024 Hunter Thoroughbred Breeders Association yearling sale in Sydney, but didn’t rush him and waited until late last year before beginning his career well into his three-year-old season.

“He was rangy and athletic when I bought him, and took a liking to him,” he said.

“But I knew he was going to take time.”

Aethelwulf’s performance yesterday resulted in him being promoted to outright favoritism at $5 for the Group 2 $750,000 The Metropolitan (2400m) at Royal Randwick on October 3.

The Newcastle Cup – which the gelding’s rider Zac Lloyd won last year on Soul Of Spain – provides the winner with a “free ticket” into The Metropolitan, though not with a penalty free clause as well.

Smith says his promising young stayer will be amongst the entries for the Randwick feature when they close tomorrow week (September 7), but is not in the Caulfield Cup (2400m) entries and won’t be nominated for the Melbourne Cup (3200m) either.

“We can wait for next year for those races,” he said.

The son of Saxon Warrior is well named as Aethelwulf was a king in the popular TV series Vikings.

Unfortunately, that Aethelwulf had a fatal allergic reaction to a bee sting in season 5.

Now his equine namesake is out to “sting” his rivals at Newcastle on September 18, and add to his growing reputation.

Daly Cherry-Evans was a winner at the track yesterday, but not on the rugby league field last night.

The Sydney Roosters NRL five-eighth is a part-owner of Newcastle trainer Nathan Doyle’s Hellbent filly Switch On ($2.05 favorite), who scored at Kembla Grange yesterday at only her third start.

Ridden by Jean Van Overmeire, the $200,000 Magic Millions yearling purchase defeated Legaselli ($3.20) and Cool Ledger ($4.80) in the Midway 3YO Maiden Handicap (1400m).

“A few of Daly’s mates got him involved in a share of Switch On,” Doyle’s racing manager David Dyson said today.

“She is a nice filly, who is going to keep improving as she gets over further ground.”

Unfortunately for the legendary footballer, his luck didn’t carry over as the Roosters were soundly beaten by the Dolphins last night, somewhat ironically as Cherry-Evans was born at Redcliffe, the home of the Brisbane-based team.

Meanwhile, Doyle will trial Churchill’s Choice, Hidden Motive and Mercy Me for a second time this preparation at Gosford tomorrow.

Group 3 Hawkesbury Gold Cup winner Churchill’s Choice, eligible for the $3m Big Dance (1600m) at Randwick on November 3, is being set to resume in the Group 3 Tibbie Stakes (1400m) at the Newcastle Cup carnival on September 18. STORY BY JOHN CURTIS, AUGUST 30, 2026. PIC BRADLEY PHOTOS.